Page 73 of The Mirror and the Curse

And what a ride that was! Eddi soon realized that White had never flown all-out in a race before. He zeroed in on Arush, caught, and passed the horse in a few heartbeats. Next came Abeo, who put up a gallant battle but couldn’t hold off White’s rush.

The distant dot that was Jackrabbit steadily grew larger, and soon Eddi could distinguish Chayton crouched low over the paint fterotó’s shoulders.

Swiftly though White had been flying, Eddi felt him draw upon even greater speed. Those huge silvery wings beat faster without losing thrust, and soon White’s nose drew even with Jackrabbit’s haunches, then his saddle band, then his neck.

When both horses’ wings were in a downbeat, Eddi saw Chayton glance toward her, his eyes wide behind his visor.

At last Eddi glimpsed the castle ahead, glowing like old gold in the rays of afternoon sun. She saw the slope of gardens, the field of pavilions. And still White accelerated. Flying neck and neck, he wore down his rival until Jackrabbit could give no more, then swept past in a rush of glory and white feathers to cross the magically projected finish line in first place. Even with her helmet on, Eddi could hear the crowd’s roar.

She and Chayton made several large circuits of the playing fields and garden to allow their mounts to cool down, and the crowds roared approval the entire time. Abeo and Arush joined them, then other horses Eddi didn’t know by name.

White flew one last victory circle over the crowd before he settled onto the landing green, head high, tail arched. His great lungs pumped like bellows as he cantered slowly around the open field. Sweat now darkened his hide, yet he felt only joy and triumph.We did it!Eddi realized.We finally won a race together!She unwrapped her hands and flattened herself on his withers, hugging his wet neck. “White, you’re amazing! You’re the greatest ever!”

He didn’t deny it.

The next hour flashed past in a blur. Eddi waved to the crowds, answered dozens of questions, smiled for fans until her face felt ready to fall off, and sat atop White while he was decorated with a blanket of roses and awarded the Faraway Castle Cup. As Eddi raised it high and the crowd roared yet again, she realized that this time she would get to take the Cup home with her. It belonged to her and White alone. Nearby, Chayton and Prince Emenike accepted their second- and third-place cups, and the three riders and their horses posed for innumerable photographs. Once the great beasts were cool enough, helpful summer staffers brought them buckets and buckets of water.

It was all too much—totally overwhelming. Someone interviewed Eddi, but afterward she had no idea what she’d said except how great White was. Her eyes constantly scanned the crowds for Kai, but he was missing, as was Fidelio. Her dad and Jakinda were there to offer support, which meant pretty much everything just then, although she had no opportunity to give them more than quick hugs.

Amid all the hubbub, Eddi knew that the other drama must be unfolding. She absorbed any information she could squeeze out of people or gather from the viewscreens, taking comfort from the fact that race celebrations continued. If anyone had died or been seriously injured, the race coordinators would know it by now.

At last, Tirador and Ruggero appeared in the sky, escorted by armed guards on flying horses. Eddi was both shocked and unsurprised to see Raquel handcuffed to Tirador’s saddle band. Both horses flew slowly, and Eddi sensed magic . . .

“That Geoff Bryant character is one powerful mage,” Chayton commented as he and Emenike stepped up on either side of her.

“How do you know?”

“His magic is supporting those horses. Raquel’s chestnut is so beat, he can hardly think straight. Jackrabbit says Ruggero injured a front leg when he slammed into Tirador. That was a crazy stunt—did you see the video?”

“No. I’ve been watching the screens, but I missed it.”

“It’s intense. They could easily have been killed. Raquel and Prince Fidelio, I mean, but the horses too.”

“I thought it happened in an area where there were no cameras,” Eddi said.

“Someone was there,” Prince Emenike said. “Look.” He motioned toward the nearest viewscreen. “They’re rolling again.”

Eddi watched the wild moments with a sick feeling in her belly. Ruggero really had crashed into Tirador while Fidelio knocked the mirror from Raquel’s hand. “He saved my life,” she said aloud, trying to wrap her head around the fact.

“Maybe,” Chayton said with a shrug. “No telling what she intended to do with that mirror. I haven’t heard whether it was picked up.”

“It was,” Prince Emenike said. “They would never let that artifact fall into the wrong hands again.”

Watching for her moment, Eddi led White forward, her gaze fixed on the last place she’d seen Raquel. The crowd parted before her, eager to see an encounter between the rivals. The last barrier before them was a set of wide shoulders. Eddi addressed that back. “May I talk to her for a moment?”

The person turned, seeming to shrink down into the unimpressive form of Geoff Bryant. “Ah, Your Highness, I rather thought you might show up.”

Beyond him, Eddi saw Raquel inside what looked very much like a bubble. Two robed men with long beards flanked the bubble, and another held a sizable iron-bound chest.

“May I talk to her?” Eddi asked.

Geoff made an offhand gesture. “She can hear you. Go ahead. Be prepared to plug your ears.”

Eddi stepped forward until she could speak to the other girl without raising her voice. “Why, Raquel? Why would you try to kill me? I’m not even dating Fidelio anymore.”

The older girl, still beautiful despite her situation, rolled her eyes. “He told me the same thing, but I know better. I saw you two kiss before the race.” She spat toward Eddi, but it only trickled down the bubble’s side. Her face contorting, Raquel shouted, but something muffled her voice. Eddi could easily guess the foul names flying her way. Then Raquel’s voice was clear again. “I hate you more than anyone ever hated anything vile and worthless, and I pray your life is miserable without end.”

When Geoff appeared ready to apologize for not filtering this, Eddi waved him off and stepped closer to address her rival. “Raquel, I . . . I’m sorry that I hated you too. We were both selfish and foolish to fight over Fidelio like we did. I hope . . . I hope you can be free someday.” The words seemed inadequate, but they were the best she could do just then.

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